Karl Stefanovic: ‘You won’t make it without a thick skin’

In Part 2 of TV Tonight’s interview with Karl Stefanovic, the Today host reacts to recent news reports on Samantha Armytage.

The Sunrise host was criticised by media for her presentation style, including with dated paparazzi photos.

Stefanovic agrees it was a low blow, despite being on rival programmes.

“Sam is a friend of mine, irrespective of networks, and she was hurt. I will always stick up for my friends, however unpopular it is,” he said.

“I think it’s worth remembering sometimes that we are people. That being said, I’ve been doing this for 10 years in January and I don’t think there’s anything anyone can say that’s going to hurt me, because I have been spat at for a bit of it.

“But I can’t complain. I’m on a great salary, I work on a great show, I do mostly what I want to do journalistically, so if one of the things that comes with it is negativity, so be it. You have to put up with it. It’s like politicians. Peter Hitchener said to me ‘We’re like politicians trying to get elected, every night.’ I love that line.”

But audiences also respond to presenters who speak out. He believes a negative can be turned into a positive.

“At the end of the day Sam Armytage is going to be more popular as a result of media having a go at her, because she stands up for herself all the time,” he says.

“At some point you have to draw the line and say ‘That’s just not acceptable.’ If you can write it in the newspapers or online in a bullying fashion, then I think you have to accept that something is going to come back.

“Any presenter now has to have a thick skin. If you don’t have a thick skin going into the business now you’re not going to make it. You’ll look at a Twitter feed, or an Instagram feed and it will shatter you.”

His is a generous response towards a competitor. After all, Sunrise has a clear lead over Today this year. Describing this as a difficult year, 2014 began with a fourth player in the market with TEN’s Wake Up.

“From my perspective the more that are in the market the better, because it just pushes everyone a bit more. At the start of the year we were going hammer and tong at each other, but ultimately it’s the viewer who wins. Having a fourth breakfast show was good for everyone but the demise (of Wake Up) was unfortunate for TV in general,” he says.

“Everything seems to be contracting, so to have it reduced more I think, unfortunately for TEN, leads to the viewer not having as many options. When they announced they weren’t going on it wasn’t a surprise, because you hear about the issues and costs involved, but I was sad for them, the network and the viewers.”

Today also has to juggle its own cost concerns. Last week’s outside broadcast in Melbourne, allows for the audience to reconnect with the cast, but Stefanovic says Nine’s spending since floating as a public company a year ago does impact on production.

“It’s certainly been a year that has been a little bit unsettled in terms of costs and it’s understandable. They’re in the game of making money for shareholders. I think it will always be an ongoing battle, particularly in breakfast TV: us fighting for everything we can get, and them fighting for everything they can get for shareholders,” he continues.

“Where it’s important is where you add the ‘extras.’ I’m not saying in terms of content we can’t do what we want to do. I’m talking about the 2 percenters like going out on OBs. Being able to have special OBs in special areas is really important for the morale of the show. It’s important for us to have contact with the viewers and it’s most important for the viewer to have contact with us.

“A lot of people argue that OBs don’t rate but that’s never been the priority for me. The priority is to get out there and for people to see TV being made. It’s old school but it still works.”

As to the future, Stefanovic is contracted to Today until the end of 2015, and continues to enjoy his reporting for 60 Minutes.

“I’m going until the end of next year with Today, obviously. But at the moment I’m talking with ‘Gynge’ about continuing. Ultimately it’s up to him. I’m more settled than I have been in a long time and it’s been 10 years. I don’t know what the reason for that is. Probably with what’s happened this year, how difficult it has been, and losing share to Sunrise, it has motivated me to get that share back,” he insists.

“I’ve got some great 60 Minutes stories coming up, and I’m more motivated than I thought I would be, moving forward with the Today show. It will change because we have different personnel next year in terms of presenters.

“I think it’s an exciting time for rejuvenation.”

Part 1: Talkin’ ’bout Karl